When did the Steam Deck come out?

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Valve’s Steam Deck is one of the most innovative products in PC gaming in recent years. It’s an all-in-one handheld gaming PC that can play many of the games already in your Steam library.

The new machine was initially announced in July 2021. As with many new products, Valve’s handheld saw its fair share of delays before coming out in early 2022.

But even then, the device was only available via reservation. Some gamers, myself included, waited several months to order the device.

So when did Valve officially release the Steam Deck?

When did the Steam Deck officially launch?

Short answer: February 25, 2022.

The Steam Deck officially launched on February 25, 2022. At the time, the device was only available via reservation due to such high demand and struggles in global supply chains.

To get one, you had to log into the Steam website and make a reservation with a $5 down payment. Valve would then put you in line with everyone else and email you when your number was up.

Only then could you order your own. Even then, some people had to wait months due to the large demand.

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Fortunately, the Steam Deck is available today without needing a reservation. It became available to order to the public on Steam’s website in October, eight months after its initial release.

The wait for the Valve’s handheld was a long one amidst delays and excitement around the product. But it’s here now, and anyone can order one whenever they want.

In fact, Valve’s already talking about Steam Deck 2.

READ MORE: How much is the Steam Deck OLED?

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